William Larue Weller (WLW) - 2020 BTAC
William Larue Weller — 2020 BTAC Review
Age: 12 Years, 6 Months
Proof: 134.5
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Wheated Bourbon
Uncut & Unfiltered
Distilled in the winter of 2008 and aged in Warehouses I & C, the 2020 WLW is one of those pours that reminds you why William Larue Weller has the reputation it does.
Nose: Dark cherry, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and toasted oak. There’s definitely some proof on the nose, but nothing unexpected at 134.5.
Mouthfeel: Thick, oily and viscous. This absolutely coats the entire palate — exactly what I want out of a barrel-proof wheater that is UC/UF.
Palate: Cherry syrup and dark red fruit hit first, followed by brown sugar, caramel and vanilla. Mid-palate brings cinnamon and baking spice, with some spearmint showing up underneath. As it sits, the oak, leather and tobacco start pushing through and balance out all that sweetness.
Finish: Long and powerful. Cinnamon, dark cherry, toasted oak, leather and tobacco linger, with a little coffee and mint hanging around at the very end. The Kentucky hug is definitely there, but for 134.5 proof, it drinks incredibly well with the perfect balance.
This is what a great high-proof wheated bourbon should be — big fruit, big sweetness, big viscosity and enough mature oak to keep everything balanced. It isn’t delicate or subtle; it’s a full-flavored pour from nose through finish. Those who know me know how much I love this one.
This sits firmly in that elite territory for me. The cherry-heavy Buffalo Trace profile combined with the thick mouthfeel and 134.5 proof makes this one of those pours you keep going back to long after the glass is empty.